Daughter Charged In Overdose Death

The daughter of a Berks County woman who died in June at the county home for the aging was charged yesterday in her mother's death.

Lillian L. Betz, 58, of 21 S. Peal St., Robesonia, turned herself in to state police at Reading at noon yesterday, police said. She was accompanied by her lawyer, Clement J. Cassidy.

Mildred Rebecca Strickler, 79, a Berks Heim resident from May 1 until her death June 13, died of an acute ingestion of Xanax, a tranquilizer.

A friend of Betz's who was was implicated in the murder three weeks ago, Loni E. Krick, 28, of Reading, was seen feeding Strickler just before she was found dead by a member of the nursing staff, said investigating Trooper Edward P. Kowalski.

Kowalski said Krick had four prescriptions for Xanax filled recently. He also said Krick made statements to witnesses implicating herself and Betz in the crime.

The county home's nursing staff allegedly saw Betz standing at the doorway to Strickler's room, acting as a look-out for Krick on the day Strickler died.

Betz was arraigned on a murder charge at state police headquarters before District Justice Felix V. Stacherski. She had a bail hearing before Senior Common Pleas Court Judge Frederick Edenharter and bail was set at $100,000. Betz was able to post bail.

Krick, who was arrested July 17, is free on $300,000 bail awaiting further court action.